Second suspect arrested shooting

by Wes Mayer

A suspect in the assault and battery of a man in late March was arrested by authorities with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

During the investigation of the March 29 shooting on the 400-block of Howard Hughes Road, authorities learned that more than one suspect may have been responsible for the assault of Vantorious Krishad Dixon. One suspect, Walter Lee Ponder Jr., 25, was arrested on April 1, but on Thursday, authorities arrested Michael Lewis Boykin Jr., 20, for his suspected connection, according to Lt. Col. Jimmy Yarbrough with the sheriff’s office.

Around 2:52 a.m. on March 29, authorities with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting on Howard Hughes Road. When they arrived, they found a party going on at the residence, and Dixon lying in the street. Not only had Dixon been shot multiple times, but he had also been run over by a vehicle.

During the investigation under lead Investigator Ryan Foles, authorities learned that Boykin was the driver of the vehicle in which Ponder shot Dixon, Yarbrough said. According to Yarbrough, Dixon was attempting to exit the vehicle when he was shot, then was run over by the same vehicle as the suspects left the area.

Investigators arrested Boykin at 3:49 p.m. after making a traffic stop at the intersection of Lovelace and Pratt Street in Newnan. Boykin was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm, and was transported to the Coweta County Jail.

Yarbrough said the investigation is continuing and more charges are possible. He described the difference between battery and assault as battery meaning a higher likelihood of resulting in permanent damage.